Former DMK MLA Pongalur Mani arrested in Tirupur

TIRUPUR: Former DMK MLA Pongalur A S Mani was arrested here on Wednesday on the charge of grabbing 15.16 acres of land worth Rs 1.74 crore from one Venkatesan. Former Minister and Coimbatore DMK district secretary Pongalur N Palanisamy has also been included as one of the accused in the case.

According to police, Venkatesan, a resident of Thiru Vi Ka Nagar in Murugamplayam, near Tirupur, owned 15.16 acres at Velampatti village in Avinashipalayam near Palladam. In a complaint to Superintendent of Police V Balakrishnan, Venkatesan said that the son of former Pongalur MLA A S Mani (DMK), approached him and asked for his land.“Based on the pervailing rate on April 15, 2008, it was decided to sell the land to him for Rs 1.74 crore in the house of A S Mani in Pongalur in the presence of former Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N Palanisamy. They gave an advance of Rs 5 lakh and two cheques each for Rs 5 lakh.” he said.According to him, the land was registered in the name of Mani’s son following an assurance that the remaining amount would be given later. “However the cheques when deposited, bounced owing to insufficient funds in the account. When I approached them, they did not respond properly and also threatened me.” he charged.Since the case was not registered at the Avinashipalayam police station he petitioned the SP. Following the order of the SP, cases were registered against A S Mani, his son, former Minister Pongalur N Palanisamy and a few others under six different sections. Taking action on the complaint, a team of police arrested A S Mani on Wednesday. Further investigations are on.